The Life of Brian

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how in "Roughing it in the Bush" Moodie has not only documented a life story, but has done so in an entertaining manner. Her story reads like a novel; interesting characters and captivating events make up the majority of her life. The paper explores the character of Brian, the still-hunter, to which Moodie devotes an entire chapter. The writer writers of a man who is kind to her family and whom she befriends, who helps her as she struggles with life in the bush. He makes for an interesting character, especially when one takes into account that he is completely fictitious and, in fact, dead.

From the Paper:

"Moodie first prepares us for the idea of a dead character by the poem that opens the chapter. Recognizing that the poem is open to interpretation, is it not possible that she is referring to a living dead man? She speaks of a "shadow... gathered to the silent dust long years ago," happy in a land without social life or companionship. A spirit doomed to haunt the earth would fit this category, and the connotative words of "gleamy" and "gloomy" give the poem an eerie quality that might set a reader's mind along the road of the supernatural. Obviously there is more than one possible interpretation, as the poem could literally be the memory of a man who lived his life outside of the social sphere. One thing is for certain, however; no matter how the poem is read, it is in reference to the character of Brian. The mentioning of a strange man and his dog and gun, as well as being placed directly underneath the title "Brian the Still-Hunter" is enough evidence of this. If one chooses to read this poem as being about a dead man, the connection between the dead and Brian will be initiated, and that connection would certainly coincide with the evidence that follows."

More papers on The Life of Brian:

• Analytical Essay # 23983 : "Life as a Hostage"
• Book Review # 108329 : "The Secret Message of Jesus"
• Essay # 33483 : "Brian Tripp"

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